Filler strip for floors and other constructions



C. L. SNYDER F E I Fi 9 July 16. 1930 Dec. 13, 1932.

FILLER 1 e e h 4 Ms 0t e Te h s m2 m 0 c R gwuentoz 1 Clzffrdj. {172 1212 0. L. SNYDER FILLER STRIP FOR FLOORS AND OTHER CONSTRUCTIONS Dec. 13, 1932.

Filed July 16, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I amen x4300 Clifford L. Snyder I Patented Dec. 13, 1932 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE CLIFFORD I4. SNYDER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE EVANS AUTO LOADING CO. INC., OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN FILLER STRIP FOR FLOORS AND OTHER CONSTRUCTIONS Application filed July 16, 1930. Serial No. 468,432.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in filler strips for floors and other constructions.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a filler strip for floors and other constructions wherein the floor or construction is built up of blocks, strips or boards with an elastic filler stri interposed between adjacent edges of theblocks, strips or boards with the adjacent edges of the blocks or boards designed for cooperation With the filler strips to prevent upward escape of the filler strips during expansion of the boards or blocks, the filler strips possessing wear resisting qualities and acting to retain the boards or blocks in their initially laid positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a floor or similar construction formed of blocks or boards wherein adjacent edges of the blocks or boards are grooved or channeled with a fillerstrip interposed between adjacent edges of the blocks or boards and being formed of elastic material whereby portions thereof upon deformation caused by expansion ofthe blocks, will move into the groove channels and prevent the filling stri from becoming displaced and retain the oor in its initially laid condition, other species of the invention disclosed herein embodying pro-formed strips engaged in adjacent ooved edges of blocks or boards as well as l iller stri s of tra ezoidal formation cooperating wit inclined edges of blocks or boards.

With the above and other objects in view that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel form, combination and arran ement of parts hereinafter more fully descri ed, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a floor construction formed in accordance with the present invention, showing wooden blocks made upon a cement or concrete foundation with elastic filler strips between the ed es of adjacent blocks;

igure 2 is a detail sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the elastic filler strip of trapezoidal formation and the inclined side edges of the floor blocks substantially forming a wedge connection;

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the filler strips showing the pointed ends thereof to provide proper mating of the ends of the filler strips at block intersections; F i re 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a oor construction wherein the side edges of the floor blocks are grooved and a straight sided filler strip inserted between the edges of the floor blocks;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4 showing the normal position of the elastic filler strip relative to the grooved edges of the floor blocks;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4, showin the floor blocks in expanded condition and the straight sides of the filler strips deformed and moved into the grooved edges of the floor blocks to form an interlocking connection between the fioor blocks and filler strips;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view of a preformed solid elastic filler strip set into grooves in edges of adjacent floor blocks;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the filler strip shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view showing an elastic or resilient metallic filler strip having inclined side walls wedgingly engaged with inclined side edges of floor blocks;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the elastic or resilient metallic filler strip shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view showing a preformed elastic or resilient filler strip having side ribs engaged in edge grooves of floor blocks with the filler strip open at its lower side;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of the filler strip shown in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a floor construction with the filler strip shown in Figures 11 and 12 positioned between edges of adjacent blocks;

Figure 14 is a detail sectional view showing another form of filler strip, similar to Figure 11 with both the upper and lower edges closed to form a tube and permit reversible use thereof and Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective View of the filler strip shown in Figure 14.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, there is illustrated a floor construction comprising a concrete or similar foundation 20 upon which blocks 21 are laid and anchored thereto by cement or other binder as at 22, it being understood that strips or boards may be employed in the floor construction instead of the blocks, the latter being laid in spaced relation with filler strips therebetween. Elastic filler strips 23 of trapezoidal formation in cross-section embodying u wardly converging sides, parallel top and ottom edges and pointed ends 24 are inserted between adjacent locks, the edges of which converge upwardl as at 25 forming a wedging engagement between the filler strips and blocks, this formation resisting upward movement of the filler strips 23 upon expansion of the blocks 21 when said strips are deformed or compressd by such expansion. The pointed ends 24 of the filler strips 23 meet at the block intersections as shown in Figure 1 to present a finished and neat floor construction.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 4 to 6, the blocks 21a have the side edges thereof grooved as at 26 midway their upper and lower sides with a solid elastic filler strip 27 having parallel side faces positioned between the edges of the blocks 21a. The normal position of the filler strip 27 relativeto the blocks 21a is indicated in Figure 5, the side edges of the blocks 2111 engaging opposite sides of the filler strip 27 above and below the grooves 26, but upon expansion of the blocks 21a, the filler strip 27 is deformed or compressed and the intermediate portion 27a thereof is moved into the grooves 26 to form an interlocking connection between the filler strips and blocks which prevents upward movement of the filler strip relative to the block as well as ermitting natural expansion of the blocks. Ilpon contraction of the blocks, the filler strip 27 assumes its normal position as shown in Figure 5, with the intermediate portion 27a thereof removed from the groove 26.

The solid elastic filler strip 28 shown in Figs. 7 and 8 has upwardly converging sides, similar to the filler strip 23 shown in Figs. 1 to 3, with a longitudinal rib 29 upon each side thereof that is engaged in edge grooves 30 in the blocks 21?), the filler strip 28 being reformed. The rib and groove connection tween the elastic filler strip and floor blocks provide an interlocking connection that pre- .vents upward movement of the filler strip upon expansion of the blocks 216, the ends 0 the filler strips being fashioned similar to the filler strip 23 to provide a neat and finished appearance in the floor construction.

Elastic or resilient metallic filler strips are shown in Figs. 9 to 15, Figures 9 and 10 showing fioor blocks 210 having converging side edges 25a with the elastic or resilient metallic filler strip 31 of substantially inverted V- formation having upwardly converging side walls 32 engaged with the inclined side edges 25a of the block 21?) and anchor flanges 33 at the lowerends of the side walls 32 engaged beneath the lower edges or sides of the blocks 21c. Expansion of the block 210 is permitted resulting in compression of the elastic filler strips 31, the latter being restored to its normal condition constantly engaged with the side edges of the block upon contraction of the latter.

In the form of invention shown in Figs. 11 to 13, the elastic metallic filler strip 34 is of substantially inverted U-formation having side legs 35 spaced apart at their lower ends with outwardly directed ribs 36 midway the upper and lower edges of the side legs 35 that seat in grooves 37 in the floor blocks 21d. The filler strip 34 is shown in detail in Figure 12, the ends thereof being formed similar to the ends 24 of the filler strip 23 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 as illustrated in Fig. 13, expansion and contraction of the floor blocks 21d being permitted with the filler strips permanently retained in position relative to the blocks.

The filler strip 38 shown in Figs. 14 and 15 is similar to the filler strip shown in Fig. 12, with the exception that the strip 38 is in the form of a tube having parallel side walls 35a, each of which carries an outwardly directed rib 36a between the upper and lower edges thereof engageable in side grooves 370 in the floor blocks 21c.

In each form of the invention, the filler strip is in effect, interlockingly engaged with the side edges of adjacent floor blocks in a manner to permit expansion and contraction of the floor blocks with the filler strips prevented from rising movement from the floor construction. While the form of filler strip illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 is of solid character representative of rubber, and the filler strips in Figures 9 to 15 are of a metallic character, it is to be understood that the filler strips in each instance, may be formed of elastic or resilient material of any preferred nature such as rubber, rubber compound or metal.

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction and operation thereof will at once be apparcut, and while there areherein shown and metallic filler strip having spaced side walls, and an outwardly directed longitudinally extending bead on each side wall to be. received v in an adjacent member groove, and the connecting top and bottom walls between the side Walls of the tubular strip lying substantially in theplanes of the upper and lower faces of the members.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CLIFFORD .L. SNYDER. 

